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Iowa's Simple Pleasures with Dan Kaercher

Spring Lake Roller Rink: Green County, Jefferson
Strap on a pair of skates and limbo on the historic open-air roller rink in Green County as Dan Kaercher learns it's not always easy to be mobile on wheels.

Antiquing: Pottawattamie County, Walnut
Join Dan Kaercher as he stroll's through an antique shopper's delight. Iowa's designated Antique City of Walnut boasts more than 15 separate antique shops in this town of 900 people.

Rastrelli's Restaurant: Clinton County, Clinton
The name Rastrelli has been synonymous with food since 1939 in the Mississippi river town of Clinton. Join Dan Kaercher in the kitchen as he learns what goes into some of the restaurant's signature dishes.

Heartland Museum: Wright County, Clarion
Join Dan Kaercher as he learns there is more to a stuffed teddy bear than a "hug". Creation of some teddy bears has reached a fine art, explains an Iowa teddy bear artist. And there is even a museum dedicated to that art in Clarion.
[26 minutes]

Series Description: Dan Kaercher, founding editor-in-chief of Midwest Living magazine, travels Iowa in search of hidden treasures and out-of-the-way places for Iowans to visit and explore right here at home.

All Episodes

Take a relaxing cruise on Clear Lake; try the hands-on agricultural activities in Independence; get close to nature at the Whiterock Conservancy near Coon Rapids; and fancy some fantastic pastries at the Ivy Bake Shoppe in Fort Madison. Hosted by Dan Kaercher. [25 minutes]

Travel to Cedar Rapids to take in a Kernel's game; climb to the top of a giant treehouse in Marshalltown; visit a flower farm in Madison County; and take a relaxing canoe ride down the North Raccoon River near Sac City. Hosted by Dan Kaercher. [27 minutes]

See the abundant beauty of magnificent Madison County; enjoy outstanding prairie-style cuisine in Orange City; learn to rock climb at Pictured Rocks County Park in Monticello; and mosey through the Shimek State Forest in Farmington on horseback. Hosted by Dan Kaercher. [27 minutes]

Experience the beautiful bike trails of Southwest Iowa; be a kid again at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines; learn about Iowa’s growing wine industry; and search for a buffalo herd near Fredericksburg in Northeast Iowa. Hosted by Dan Kaercher. [27 minutes]

Enjoy a tubing adventure down the Iowa River; taste the fresh and innovative cuisine found in Washington; learn about Iowa’s aviation history in Greenfield; and visit a museum in Northwest Iowa that is home to the state’s oldest planetarium. Hosted by Dan Kaercher. [24 minutes]

Satisfy the need for speed at a dirt oval in Southwest Iowa; indulge in the famous 20-ounce Gunderburger; experience great water fun in Storm Lake; and visit one of our great state parks near Forest City. Hosted by Dan Kaercher. [25 minutes]

Travel to Southwest Iowa for a baseball game played by volunteers; see amazing sculptures made from matchsticks in Gladbrook; relax in luxury while being one with nature at Honey Creek Resort State Park; visit a factory that makes kaleidoscopes in Pomeroy. Hosted by Dan Kaercher. [25 minutes]

Rubber Duck Outfitters: Pottawattamie County, Hancock
How about a relaxing float down river in a livestock tank? Go with Dan Kaercher as he learns to "steer" the tank on the picturesque Nishnabotna river in southwest Iowa.
Ladora Bank Bistro: Iowa County, Ladora
Dan Kaercher enjoys a side dish of local history with the food and wine served at a 1920s era bank, now restored as a bistro in Ladora.
LeClaire River Town Experience: Scott County, LeClaire
The birthplace of Buffalo Bill and an eclectic mix of shops and eateries are just a few of the things Dan Kaercher discovered as he wandered through historic LeClaire in eastern Iowa.
Worth Brewery: Worth County, Northwood
Join Dan Kaercher for a pint of beer at Iowa's smallest brew pub in the north central part of the state. [27 minutes]

Cedar Valley Paddlers Trail: Blackhawk County
Paddle with Dan Kaercher as he and his canoe partner follow a string of lakes, portage trails and part of the Cedar River that brings them full circle.
Sugar Clay Winery: Fremont County, Thurman
Tucked into the rural Loess Hills of western Iowa is one of the more than 70 licensed wineries in the state. Dan Kaercher checks out the vineyard, learns how the grapes turn into wine, and gets a taste to boot!
Iowa State Capitol: Polk County, Des Moines
There are more than 40 monuments on the state capitol grounds, including soldiers on horseback, a miniature Liberty Bell to ring and a gravesite. Learns where these statues are and what they mean to Iowa's history with Dan Kaercher, as he takes a guided tour of the capitol grounds.
Villages Folk School: Van Buren county, Cantril, Bentonsport, Bonapart
If Dan Kaercher can learn to draw at the Villages Folk School, then most of the rest of us can, too. The class offerings range from traditional arts to blacksmithing to [29 minutes]

Decorah Trails: Winneshiek county, Decorah
Dan Kaercher finds a diverse bicycle-friendly community, go to Decorah for paved and off-road trails for bicyclists of all skill levels.
Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe: Jasper County, Prairie City
Dan Kaercher learns there's more than ice cream to taste at this small town diner with BIG food. Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe has an award- winning pork tenderloin sandwich.
Reiman Gardens: Story county, Ames
Soak up much of nature's beauty with Dan Kaercher as he visits one of the state's larges public gardens, including a stop in the butterfly wing at Reiman Gardens in Ames.
Hole 'N the Wall Lodge: Plymouth County, Akron
If you're planning a group event, such as a family reunion, hunting party, or even a scrapbooking party, why not rent a large private lodge? Get a tour, along with Dan Kaercher, of the Hole 'N the Wall Lodge in Akron.
[27 minutes]

Sidney Championship Rodeo: Freemont County, Sidney
The Sidney Championship Rodeo boasts "The Greatest Show on Dirt" as cowboys rope calves, wrestle steers and ride bareback broncs. In existence since 1923, the rodeo entertains more than 38,000 visitors a year in the tiny southwestern Iowa town of fewer than 1,200 residents.
Templeton Rye: Carroll County, Templeton
Prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's lead to a boom in bootlegging. Dan Kaercher shares his findings of one of Iowa's most famous whiskey bootlegging activities in Templeton.
Disc Golf: Winnebago County, Forest city
Dan Kaercher learns there are two kinds of golf games: the traditional "ball" golf and the golf game played with "discs".
Bogie's Steakhouse: Monroe County, Albia
If you say "supersize" me, you better mean it, as Dan Kaercher learned when he ordered a grilled entrée at Bogie's Steakhouse in Albia
[25 minutes]

Spring Lake Roller Rink: Green County, Jefferson
Strap on a pair of skates and limbo on the historic open-air roller rink in Green County as Dan Kaercher learns it's not always easy to be mobile on wheels.
Antiquing: Pottawattamie County, Walnut
Join Dan Kaercher as he stroll's through an antique shopper's delight. Iowa's designated Antique City of Walnut boasts more than 15 separate antique shops in this town of 900 people.
Rastrelli's Restaurant: Clinton County, Clinton
The name Rastrelli has been synonymous with food since 1939 in the Mississippi river town of Clinton. Join Dan Kaercher in the kitchen as he learns what goes into some of the restaurant's signature dishes.
Heartland Museum: Wright County, Clarion
Join Dan Kaercher as he learns there is more to a stuffed teddy bear than a "hug". Creation of some teddy bears has reached a fine art, explains an Iowa teddy bear artist. And there is even a museum dedicated to that art in Clarion.
[26 minutes]

Bev's on the River: Woodbury County, Sioux City
Dan Kaercher finds a great place along the Missouri river to dine on everything from country fried steak to lamb wellington to pork osso bucco. It's Bev's on the River in Sioux City.
Ballroom Dancing: Dallas County, Woodward
Open since 1931, the Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward has had its share of famous artists, including the Dorsey Brothers, Louis Armstrong, Pat Boone and Bobby Vee. Dan Kaercher was able to learn a few dance steps reminiscent of those used at this classic ballroom in its hay-day.
Birding on the Mississippi river: Allamakee County, Lansing
The Mississippi Explorer riverboat took Dan Kaercher and many others on a cruise to see the migration of tundra swans resting on the Upper Mississippi river on their way south for the winter. A naturalist was on board to help spot some of the other wildlife diversity and ecology and answer passengers questions.
The Raj: Jefferson County, Fairfield
With the hectic lifestyle most of us live many don't [25 minutes]

Join Dan Kaercher as he takes on many of Iowa's bike trails, plays a round of disc golf in north central Iowa, paddles a chain of lakes near Cedar Rapids and tubes down a central Iowa river. Dan also took in a bit of history in addition to the exercise he received when he visited both an old fashioned roller rink and an historic ballroom. [28 minutes]

Come along as host Dan Kaercher boats, swims, hikes and relaxes at one of Iowa's many places of natural beauty. Dan visits the Iowa Great Lakes, Honey Creek Resort State Park, King's Pointe Resort, the Hole N' the Wall Lodge and the Raj, a spa in Fairfield. [28 minutes]

See some unlikely Iowa inhabitants at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines and more butterflies than you can count at Reiman Gardens in Ames. Then take an excursion boat tour on the Mississippi River to see the bird migration, and get a private tour of the Iowa State Capitol inside and out. [27 minutes]

Host Dan Kaercher visits a steakhouse in Albia, a café in Mount Vernon, a place known for huge burgers in Clayton County, an Italian gem in Washington county, a Pella bakery and a winery in southwest Iowa. [28 minutes]

Dan Kaercher shows viewers the highlights in Madison County (famous for its covered bridges), a river town experience in LeClaire, how to go antiquing in Walnut, and a few of the sites to see in Fort Madison and in the Villages of Van Buren County. [26 minutes]

Tune in to see host Dan Kaercher climb the big treehouse in Marshalltown, see how a Kaleidoscope is made in Pomeroy and marvel at how matchsticks can be used to build model scale architectural wonders in Tama County. Dan also tours a buffalo ranch, a museum that boasts Iowa's agricultural heritage and another one that showcases teddy bears. [27 minutes]

Host Dan Kaercher learns how Iowa's smallest brew pub makes its specialty beers, how a Grinnell couple turned a dilapidated bank on old highway 6 in Ladora into a fine wine and food bistro, and what makes an Italian restaurant so special in the Mississippi river town of Clinton. Dan also visits the Maytag Blue Cheese factory. [28 minutes]

Join host Dan Kaercher in a fresh new season of fun Iowa adventures! In this episode, Kaercher checks out the Sioux City Musketeers hockey team, dines on unique food in Waterloo under an interpretation of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, visits downtown Des Moines, and takes note of a popular bandleader from the 1940’s in Clarinda [25 minutes]

From savoring a meal at a famous northwest Iowa steakhouse to canoeing a peaceful wildlife area in southeast Iowa, host Dan Kaercher happily hits the road to seek out Iowa’s best simple pleasures. Also in this episode, get an inside look at Terrace Hill and tour a Linn County orchard and cider company. [29 minutes]

Tag along as host Dan Kaercher digs for Iowa’s state rock in southeast Iowa, bites into one of Iowa’s best burgers at the Rusty Duck in Dexter, explores the Villisca Ax Murder House and finds a fabulous getaway in Davenport at the Hotel Blackhawk. [27 minutes]

Climb aboard and explore Iowa’s simple pleasures with host, Dan Kaercher. In this episode, he rides two different types of wheels while touring the Quad Cities. Other stops include the Mormon Trail in southern Iowa, trout fishing in the northeastern part of our state and big flavored barbecue at Hickory Park in Ames. [28 minutes]

Archery in Stuart, wrestling in Waterloo, fossils near Coralville and gourmet food at a bed and breakfast in Battle Creek highlight this episode. Join host Dan Kaercher as he finds interesting and delightful activities right here in Iowa’s own backyard. [27 minutes]

Iowan and experienced traveler Dan Kaercher sparks our desire to get out and see more of Iowa as he showcases some of our best simple pleasures. This episode finds fall fun at Solsma’s Punkin Patch in northwest Iowa, discovers a homey atmosphere at the Bluff Lake Catfish Farm restaurant, reveals the fascinating history of hobos at the Hobo museum in Britt and digs into some sweet treats at Wilton Candy Kitchen. [28 minutes]

In the fourth season of Iowa's Simple Pleasures, host Dan Kaercher hits the road to seek out more food and fun in Iowa. Tag along as Kaercher digs for Iowa's state rock – the geode. Hit the ice with a the Sioux City Muskateers hockey team. Sample some of the state's favorite foods and finest locations at Hickory Park in Ames and Galleria de Paco in Waterloo. [48 minutes]

Episode Features: 1) Grass Tennis Court – Charles City 2) Elk Horn/Kimballton town profiles 3) Indianola Opera 4) Antique Motorcycle Races in Davenport and Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa
Join host Dan Kaercher as he stops in Charles City to visit one of the few grass tennis courts in the U.S., learns about the Danish history of Elk Horn and Kimballton, enjoys a performance by a talented Iowa professional opera company in Indianola, and gets revved up at vintage motorcycle races in Davenport before taking a close-up look at an Anamosa motorcycle museum. [28 minutes]

Episode Features: 1) Skydiving – Brooklyn, IA 2) Lake City town profile 3) Bily Clock Museum – Spillville, IA 4) Broadbent Distillery – Norwalk, IA
Get a birds-eye of Iowa with some skydivers, visit the artisan community of Lake City where many aging buildings have been renovated into captivating visitor stops, take your time viewing a northeast Iowa collection of masterfully made clocks, and stop by a Micro Distillery making corn whiskey in its homemade Still just south of Des Moines. [24 minutes]

Come along with host Dan Kaercher as he visits some western Iowa farms for lavender cookies and aronia berry wine, takes in the sights in one of Iowa’s oldest River communities, finds a bike to fit the needs of most anyone, no matter what their challenges may be, and travels to a part of Iowa where time moves at a slower, more peaceful pace, Kalona. [27 minutes]